Summer in the Wilderness of Jack London and Robert Service
Historic Skagway Inn is a 10 guest room Frontier Victorian Bed & Breakfast, 60 Seat Restaurant, Living History Theatrical presentation, and 5000 sq ft kitchen garden. We share our version of the Klondike Gold Rush experience with our guests. After taking care of the guests, employees will be eager to visit the many outdoor experiences available to them in and around Skagway.
Located 90 miles north of Juneau, in Southeast Alaska. at the end of the longest fjord in North America. The Historic Skagway Inn is surrounded by mountains and glaciers, located in Skagway, Alaska's Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. Access is by Alaska Airlines to Juneau (commuter plane rest of the way), the Alaska Marine Highway (the state ferry system).
About Historic Skagway Inn
In 1898, Skagway was the beginning of the land route of the last great gold rush. Today it is a destination featuring visits by modern cruise ships. We play host to many visitors every year, yet the wilderness is a few blocks away.
At the Historic Skagway Inn, we are in the business of hospitality. Doing it right, is a lot of hard work. Everything needs to be working and in order. We depend on our employees to take great care of our guests. We expect employees to respect each employee and guest and make sure we deliver a consistent and valuable product no matter how small. When you are done, there is great satisfaction in being part of their bucket-list vacation to the "Great Land."
We've been welcoming guests since 1998, providing them a gold rush experience they treasure, that is reflected in our online ratings. We invite you to be a part of our team!
The Employee Experience
Working in Skagway is very different from visiting Skagway. You'll have opportunities to enjoy many of the adventure attractions for free or at a reduced cost. If you backpack, the world-famous Chilkoot Trail beckons. While there is no Shopping Mall to hang out in, nor movie theaters to frequent; people around here manage to entertain themselves with the simpler things in life (i.e., Corn Hole Tournaments, Hiking). We have a nice library, Coed Slo-pitch Softball and Soccer leagues, lots of churches.
Your biggest challenge will be to plan for and save enough money for your next adventure. The good news about Skagway is if you can moderate the alcohol consumption, there isn't much else to spend your money on. Just a side note, while Marijuana is somewhat legal in Alaska, it can not be consumed on public property nor in or around public places like the Historic Skagway Inn, which includes employee housing. What people do off-duty is not our business, what is done on our property is our business.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate for the Historic Skagway Inn has five core attributes:
- Self-control
- Integrity
- Dependability
- Cooperation
- Attention to detail
Room and Board
In Skagway, seasonal employee housing is the limiting factor. It is NOT like other tourist areas where "on-the-economy" housing is generally available. If you have or are able to arrange your own housing you have a distinct advantage. Camping out for the summer is not an option with us. While it is doable, life in a tent is much too hard to provide the great customer service our guests have come to expect.
We have about 8-10 beds available. Rooms are 2 employees (of the same gender) per room with access to common toilet facilities and a limited kitchen. If we are able to offer you housing, that will be explicitly explained in your written job offer.
The cost for our company housing is $600 per month private occupancy ($350/month pp double occupancy) prorated on your employment. There is a $100 additional damage deposit collected $50/pay period until satisfied and refunded at check-out if the room is returned as found in good order. In addition to the room, you'll receive a basket of linens & towels, for your use while in the housing. We have a communal washer/dryer available. Employees are expected to clean up after themselves. The Inn provides limited service to tidy up the bathroom and kitchen area. We also provide Wi-Fi Internet connection to the housing area.
Employees are able to enjoy our food service at half price during non-peak periods. All alcohol service is at regular posted prices. There is a market and a convenience store both within walking distance for your grocery needs. In the past, people have also utilized other services for flying groceries into Skagway.
Employee Perks
Reduced and free admission to activities (i.e, Railway, Float Trips, Ziplining) are available by expressing interest to your manager. Given lead time you can work with your manager to arrange time off to hike the Chilkoot Trail (usually a 4-day event) so planning ahead for this adventure is important.
Additional perks include:
- Half price on all menu items served in our restaurant during non-peak business hours.
- A 40% Discount on merchandise at our sister store Lynch & Kennedy, depending on availability.
- Even deeper discounts on remaining merchandise at the end of the season.
Getting Here and Getting Around
Skagway is connected to the continental road system, but we don't recommend you bring a vehicle. The expense of bringing a vehicle compared to its utility is questionable for your first experience in Alaska. The town is served by the Alaska Marine Highway System (state ferry) with weekly service from Bellingham, WA and several days a week service from Juneau. Skagway airport is served by Alaska Seaplanes which connects to Alaska Airlines in Juneau (JNU). Our van will meet you at the Airport or Ferry dock upon your arrival if we know your arrival details ahead of time.
If you want to research travel in Alaska, go to the library and check out The Milepost. If the volume is less than 5 years old, it will be accurate and informative enough for you to start a plan. A new one at the bookstore is pricey.
Once hired we can give you pointers from our experience in traveling in Alaska and assist with coordinating the travel.
Once you've traveled to Skagway, you can walk or ride a bike locally to whatever you might want to do!
For Fun
What's fun to do in Skagway during the summer months? Whatever you want...most activities occur outside. Employees are expected to work our schedules first and any additional jobs need to be outside of their Skagway Inn schedules. There are several festivals during the summer, Summer Solstice (June 21st) and the 4th of July festivities are always entertaining. A recreational center (gym) is available to seasonal workers for a small monthly or daily fee.
How to Apply
Click button below for our Screening Application which captures the essential information we need to make the initial decision. If it looks like we have potential then we move on to scheduling a zoom interview with the appropriate supervisor. Alternatively, express your interest by calling us at cell number 610-745-1859 or sending an email to hiring@skagwayinn.com. We are able to hire individuals that are legally able to work in the United States: which includes US Citizens (all types), J-1 Visa applicants; unfortunately we are not considering H2-B Visa applicants.
Tell us which job(s) interest you and why? What draws you to Skagway this summer? What dates you can be in town? You can optionally include a resume.
After the initial screening, there is likely to be a 20-minute job interview conducted over Zoom (or similar). Should we offer you a job, it will come in the form of an offer of employment letter that details the start and stop date, job title, pay rate, and details on housing. The letter also includes a hiring packet collecting all the details we need to make a binding job offer and set up your pay record. Usually the offer is valid for about a week or so.
Contact Info
- Karl Klupar
- hiring@skagwayinn.com
- (610) 745-1859
- www.skagwayinn.com
